SAUNDERSON monoplane Mayfly (H.P. Saunderson & Mills, Elstow, Bedfordshire)

   The Saunderson monoplane arrived at the Blackpool Meeting on 18 October 1909. Although it was reported to have flown previously, when tested on Dunstable Downs, it was unable to lift off at Blackpool.
   The machine was a single-seat tractor with wings mounted high on either side of a fuselage of tubular construction. Power was provided by a three-cylinder air-cooled fantype radial also made by Saunderson.


SAUNDERSON monoplane Verifly

   The second monoplane built by Saunderson in 1910, was tested on the Earl of Verulam's estate, Gorhambury Park, St. Alban's. It probably used the same engine as the first machine. No record of flight can be traced.
   The fuselage of the aircraft was very shallow, so the seat and the pilot were exposed to the slipstream. The box girder was tapered and fully enclosed, probably with plywood covering. Two triangular shaped fins were fitted, above and below the rear fuselage, the lower protected by a separate skid. The rudder is not shown in surviving photographs, but was apparently fitted to the top fin only. The tailplane consisted of triangular shaped halves extending well along the fuselage sides. The elevator was in one piece and was also triangular. The undercarriage and wings were similar- to those of the earlier machine and may have been transferred from it. The name 'Verifly' was carried on both sides of the fuselage with a decorated surround.